taking away from the next, at best joining each box in wonder and richness. But,

there is one gift that draws myattention. Did I ever mention my total love of Christmas? It

is in that spirit that I take upthis Gift so inconspicuous, yet soutterly necessary for

this day. For in my hands, Ihold perfection. Atcloser inspection, I am certain. No giftof

Christmas was ever so right; soaccepted. So loved. Remembering the verse, “…and the greatest of these, is Love”, my heart swells, a tellingsign that Christmas lives within me.This Gift soneeded, fills my hands with its girth,and makes myheart wor thythrough all that it espouses.It houses purity,and sanct-ity. It represents love. The Truest of All Love. And so it iswith this First Gift of Christmas. I bow my head; a silentprayer prepares me for my jour ney. “God so loved the wor ld that he gave his only son…” andI ret urn The Babe to His manger, the love of Christmas fills me. I raise from my knee, coming to stand near the tree. I am Santa Claus, chosen to be an icon of the season. I am humbled to receive “The Gift” I represent Who gives it a reason. Walking in silence and reverent thought, to a waiting sleigh and a day of love.

Oh. Oh my goodness.This is beautiful. Thanks so much for this, Walt! This poem portrays so beautifully that, though Santa is indeed a jolly part of Christmas, he is not "the reason for the season."You are a poet of words, as well as pictures.

Walt, this is truly amazing. When do we get to see these all in a book?'…chosen to be an icon of the season…' – Love this.With your gift, you could easily create poems in images that would appeal to children. You should really consider doing a PB book in this form. We need more platforms with which to introduce poetry to our children.